'Release Pollard - In the Name of American Values'

MK Dov Lipman joins calls for Pollard's release at UK conference - and calls out US President on ignoring 'liberty.'

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Tova Dvorin, 25/12/13 17:07

MK Dov Lipman (file)

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MK Rabbi Dov Lipman (Yesh Atid) joined the calls heard around the world to free Jonathan Pollard Wednesday, after serving more than 28 years in prison on charges of spying for Israel.

Lipman, who represented the State of Israel at the 2013 Limmud Conference at the University of Warwick, said in his speech this morning:

"As we speak, my colleagues in the Knesset are standing to raise their voices to demand the release of Jonathan Pollard. In solidarity with them, and out of a deep care and concern for Jonathan, I will do the same from this podium.

"I call on every person in the world who raises the flag of humanitarian issues to join me in calling for the immediate release of Jonathan Pollard from prison in the United States," Lipman continued.

"Make no mistake about it. This is no longer an Israeli-US issue but an international issue of calling for the humane treatment of this man."

Pollard has been subject of a high-profile campaign for his release, after being held in the US for more than 28 years on spying allegations. He was arrested by FBI agents in 1985 and held since.

"Jonathan committed a crime and has served his time. With top US officials calling for his release including many who were involved in his arrest, at this point he is being held for nothing - justice has already been served."

Calls for Pollard's release have escalated in light of revelations that the US and UK have been spying on top-ranking Israeli officials.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will reportedly demand Pollard's release in the near future, possibly within the framework of ongoing negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

US President Barack Obama, however, has been intransigent about the release. White House officials stated Monday that "there is no intention to release him."

Lipman, who was an American citizen until his election to the Knesset, appealed to Obama in the name of American values.

"I turn directly to President Obama," he began.

"Mr. President, in order to serve in the Israeli Knesset, Israeli law required me to renounce my United States citizenship. Tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down my cheeks as I did so because your great country gave me and taught me so much. I believe that many of the values I learned in the United States - tolerance, compassion, and human rights - are being violated every moment that Jonathan Pollard remains in his cell."

"Let him go - and by doing so fulfill the concluding words of the American pledge of allegiance: 'with liberty and justice for all,' he concluded.